ToneDriven
Inspired
An apology first because I know this has been discussed ad nauseum with other FAS gear because I’ve read EVERY thread about it two or three times while waiting for the FM3 to arrive in order to set up all these speakers options to get ready for the FM3’s arrival, but now, “here I am stuck in the middle with you” guys in this proverbial quandary..... So, as I sit in the middle of 4 speaker cabs (CLR/QSC to my LEFT and MESA 2:90>4x12 and 2x12 to my RIGHT), I find myself actually wanting a middle of the road solution (relentless pursuit of that perfect tone) because, while both sides sound great for different reasons - both sides also need something from the other side too...
[side note: running both sides simultaneously while sitting in the middle of those 4 cranked speakers is the most ridiculous sonically orgasmic thing I’ve ever heard]
Back to my long-winded question:
The LEFT side CLR is articulate, transparent and so clear, with SO much definition that brings out all the nuances of the amazing FM3, but it seems a little sterile and somewhat like an ice pick at times and lacking some good real “amp-in-the-room thump”.
The RIGHT side MESA 2:90 into my Creamback 65/75 4x12 and V30 2x12 was the real surprise when I flipped the switch: Mindblowing CHUNK and THUMP with perfect attack and chugging for days that are a credit to Mark Day’s and Leon Todd’s awesome FM3 patches, the brilliance of the FM3, and of course the unique magic that the MESA 2:90’s blend of Class A and Class A/B brings to the sonic spectrum. That said, the MESA’s right side lacked the clarity/articulation/definition of the CLR’s left side....
So, what to do??? Can I get more clarity out of the MESA side? Can I add more “thump” to the CLR side? Does a XiTone shoot right down the middle? I should offload some of this gear so I’d like to find a middle-of-the-road solution and just stick with it. XiTone’s active wedge seem to never be for sale on the used market (which must be a stellar endorsement of Mick’s product) so I can’t pick up one used to try out against (or with) my CLR....
Thanks so much for reading my rambling question and offering any solutions to make the CLR side thump better (or adding/replacing with a XiTone on that side) OR fixing the lack of clarity on the MESA Power amp/real cabs side...
[side note: running both sides simultaneously while sitting in the middle of those 4 cranked speakers is the most ridiculous sonically orgasmic thing I’ve ever heard]
Back to my long-winded question:
The LEFT side CLR is articulate, transparent and so clear, with SO much definition that brings out all the nuances of the amazing FM3, but it seems a little sterile and somewhat like an ice pick at times and lacking some good real “amp-in-the-room thump”.
The RIGHT side MESA 2:90 into my Creamback 65/75 4x12 and V30 2x12 was the real surprise when I flipped the switch: Mindblowing CHUNK and THUMP with perfect attack and chugging for days that are a credit to Mark Day’s and Leon Todd’s awesome FM3 patches, the brilliance of the FM3, and of course the unique magic that the MESA 2:90’s blend of Class A and Class A/B brings to the sonic spectrum. That said, the MESA’s right side lacked the clarity/articulation/definition of the CLR’s left side....
So, what to do??? Can I get more clarity out of the MESA side? Can I add more “thump” to the CLR side? Does a XiTone shoot right down the middle? I should offload some of this gear so I’d like to find a middle-of-the-road solution and just stick with it. XiTone’s active wedge seem to never be for sale on the used market (which must be a stellar endorsement of Mick’s product) so I can’t pick up one used to try out against (or with) my CLR....
Thanks so much for reading my rambling question and offering any solutions to make the CLR side thump better (or adding/replacing with a XiTone on that side) OR fixing the lack of clarity on the MESA Power amp/real cabs side...